Items

• Marriage certificate, [Washington C. Young to Amanda L. West]
  This marriage certificate for Washington Craig Young (January 2, 1860-November 2, 1931) and Amanda L. (West) Young (June 20, 1860-January 20, 1943) features two bust-length, carte-de-visite studio portrait photographs, gold touches, pictorial details, an ornate border, and text.
• Letter, Ronia Barmas to the greatest singer, April 17, 1951
  This letter was sent by Ronia Barnas presumably of Brooklyn, New York to Marian Anderson (February 27, 1897-April 8, 1993) on April 17th, 1951. The letter was written to complement Anderson on the remarkable beauty of her voice that reaches “never before reached heights” (p. 2). Signing the letter off as Anderson’s “admirer,” Barnas expresses her desire to hear her in person and say: “‘You Marian Anderson - are the greatest singer of them all.’”
• Letter, Helen Good to Marian Anderson, December 20, 1957
  This letter was sent by Helen Marie Good (March 15, 1939-) of Elkhart, Indiana to Marian Anderson (February 27, 1897-April 8, 1993) on April 17th, 1951. The letter was written by Good to introduce herself to Anderson, and to express her and her mother’s excitement to see her in concert at Goshen College in the summer of 1957.
• Letter, Mary Emma Jones to Miss Anderson, 1945
  This letter was sent by Mary Emma Jones (1928-) of Trappe, Collegeville, Pennsylvania to Marian Anderson (February 27, 1897-April 8, 1993) in 1945, presumably towards the end of Mary’s junior year at Collegeville Trappe High School. The purpose of this letter is to request compelling information from Anderson so that her junior year term paper would be impressive, and make her parents proud (page 2). Jones repeatedly offers compliments, gratitude, and appreciation to Anderson. She notes that she has attended Anderson’s concerts in Philadelphia, which would be about an hour (roughly 32 miles) from Collegeville, PA.
• Letter, Mary Helen Stanek to Marian Anderson, February 21, 1952
  Mary Helen Stanek, age 71 was never married but was a lifelong cat lover (Mary Helen Stanek Obit 1941 ). The birthday card and brief letter was from Mary age 10, of Lehigh, Iowa, to Marian Anderson, dated February 21, 1952. Stanek writes to wish Anderson “years and years of happiness” upon discovering they share the same birthday, February 27th.
• Dedication Service of Communion Drapes Bethel A.M.E. Church
  This ceremony documented a church dedication service at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal on January 6, 1952. Located on Rittenhouse Street in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, the program celebrated the consecration of new communion drapes. The service blended liturgy with community devotion, invoked the Trinity and called all generations to gather in unity.
• Standing Victrola
  Originally belonged to the Smith brothers (Alfonso, Clarence, Raymond, and Leon), who were born in Neshanic Station to Joseph Smith Jr. and Cora Smith of Pennington. The brothers pooled their money to purchase the Victrola for their family's enjoyment.
• Organ
  Pump organ, pre-1917. Made by the Cornish Company in Washington, NJ, which ended organ production in 1917. Organ was played at the First Baptist Church in Pennington and was similar to the one that provided music at Skillman Camp Meetings from the 1890s - 1930s.
• Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church (structure)
  Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, built in 1899
• Invitation to Testimonial Dinner to Charles S. Johnson, illustrated by Aaron Douglas.
  Illustration created by Douglas in Philadelphia for an invitation to Testimonial Dinner for Charles S. Johnson in NYC.
• “Meet the Hinksons.”
  “Meet the Hinksons of Philadelphia, Penna.” is a six-page magazine article published in the Ladies’ Home Journal series “How America Lives” in August 1942. The article highlights the everyday life of the Hinkson family, including education, careers, fashion, travel, and home, and the impact of various wars on their lives.
• Georgine E. Upshur [Willis], 1943 University of Pennsylvania Graduation
  This photograph features Mrs. Georgine "Gene" Elizabeth (née Upshur) Willis posing for her graduation from the University of Pennsylvania in 1943.
• Mrs. Gene Upshur Willis news clippings
  This collection of news clippings are about Upshur family achievements, including: Georgine Upshur and a Y.W.C.A. baby contest, her Philadelphia High School for Girls graduation and coming out parties, and passing of the state mortician’s exam circa 1949.
• Invitation to the wedding of Cordelia Sanders and Dr. Dehaven Hinkson
  Wedding reception invitation for marriage between Cordelia Sanders and Dr. DeHaven Hinkson.